Vegetable wok with chicken tenders and rice - recipe

Today I tried to use up some of the things I had in the freezer. I had a bag of frozen wok vegetables and a few chicken tenders. Together with soy sauce and rice that are always available at home, it was a piece of cake to put them together to this delicious wok meal. Quick dish that don't require alot of work as the vegetables were already cut, which is nice. Here it goes.

Ingredients:

A bag of frozen wok vegetables

Few chicken tenders

Rice

Oil

Soy sauce

Seasoning: ground ginger, paprika, curry powder, cumin, salt pepper

Method:

1. Cut the chicken tenders in bite sizes and fry in a pan with few tbsp of oil. Add some curry powder and salt to taste. Once golden brown set aside.

2. Fry the wok vegetables in oil in same pan on medium/high heat. Add the seasoning and few drops of soy sauce. Once done, set aside.

3. Cook the rice according to the package. Add some seasoning. I used ginger powder, curry, turmeric and few pods of cardamom.

4. Once everything is cooked, serve it all together, rice, wok vegetables and finish with the chicken. Add more soy sauce. It was really good and full of flavours. Nothing authentic, still wonderful and filling. 

Enjoy!

Berry pie with vanilla icecream

Often when hubby is asked to buy stuff, he buys many of the same category to safeguard from getting told of in Case he buys the grown item. Instead of puff pastry he bought pie dough. Oh well, no in harm in that. It is always nice to find new items to experiment with in the kitchen. 

So before the pie do experied, hubby reminded me to use it up. I had frozen berries and vanilla ice cream in the freezer. So I thought let's make a nice dessert.

Ingredients:

Bought pie dough

Frozen or fresh berries, blue berries and strawberries

Ripe pear

Vanilla sugar

Vanilla ice cream 

Method:

1. I rolled out the dough and placed it in an oven form. All excess dough I cut in long strips. Then I cut the berries in thin slices. I put the pear slices first and then the blueberries and strawberries. Sprinkled over the vanilla sugar to taste, roughly 2 tsp. 

2. I folded down the pie dough from the form and added the strips of the leftover. It almost covered it all. Then baked the pie in the oven for about 40 minutes at 180 degrees. I took out once it was golden brown.

3. To be served with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream. It was so tasty. The pie was not to sweet so it was perfect with the ice cream

Enjoy!

Spagetti with this lovely cheese sauce and toscan dip spice blend works heavenly together. Today hubby craved a white pasta as he was tired of the red pasta he declared. So we made up a version together. He cooked the spaghetti, I explained that we needed to make a cheese sauce so he grated cheese. After max 30 min, it was all put together. The taste is so rich and flavourful, thanks to this lovely dip blend. I bought it from the oil and vinegar shop.

Ingredients:

Spaghetti, boiled according to package

2-3 tbsp oil

2 tbsp flour

1-2 cup grated cheese

1 cup milk

Toscana dipper spice mix to taste

1 tsp grated nutmeg

Salt and pepper

Olive oil to taste

Method:

1. Boil the spaghetti according to package, drain it and sprinkle over some of the spice mix.

2. Add flour, oil and milk in a deep pan and mix well to prevent flour to become lumpy on medium/high heat.

3. Add the cheese and mix well until it has melted and the sauce thicken a bit. Add salt, peppar, spice mix to taste. 

4. Once sauce is done, mix it with the spaghetti and sprinkle some dried herbs over and some grated parmesan cheese over. You will love this rich, yet simple vegetarian meal, I promise!

Enjoy!

Basbousa (semolina and coconut) cake - recipe

During a visit to a friend who had just welcomed a new baby, I was treated to a delightful homemade cake. Despite my protests about the effort involved, my friend shared her secret with me, revealing one of the simplest cake recipes I've ever come across—and I've baked quite a few! Surprisingly, all you need for this recipe is a glass!

Named Basbousa, this cake comes from the Middle East and is renowned for its rich flavors and sweet syrup soaking. However, I prefer to serve it without the syrup, finding it perfectly delicious on its own. This semolina cake has won the approval of both young and old every time I've made it. Best of all, you can use the same glass to measure all the ingredients.

The story behind Basbousa is as rich and diverse as its flavors. It is believed that the dessert's name is derived from the Arabic word "basbasa," which means to soak or drench. This is a fitting name, as Basbousa is typically soaked in a sweet syrup after baking, adding moisture and sweetness to the cake. The cake holds a special place in Middle Eastern culture, often served during festive occasions. It symbolizes hospitality and generosity, as it is commonly shared with family, friends, and neighbors.

 Ingredients:
1 glass oil

1 glass semolina

1 glass natural yogurt

 1 glass coconut

1 glass sugar
1-2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
Almonds for topping

For the syrup:

1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

1 cup (240ml) water

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp rose water or orange blossom water (optional)

Method:
1. In a bowl, crack the eggs and add the sugar, mixing well until combined. Then, slowly incorporate the remaining ingredients, ensuring everything is thoroughly mixed. If desired, you can add a few drops of orange flower water for extra flavor.

2. Grease the cake pan generously with oil and coat it with coconut flakes to prevent sticking. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and arrange almonds on top. Aim for evenly spaced squares, with each square featuring one almond to guide your cutting later on.

3. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for approximately 30-40 minutes, or until the cake turns golden brown. 

4. Once cooled, place a kitchen paper under the cake to absorb any excess oil before slicing. This light and fluffy cake simply melts in your mouth, making it a delightful treat for any occasion.

5. If using the syrup: in a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved. Reduce the heat to low and let the syrup simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the rose water or orange blossom water, if using.

6. Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the hot syrup evenly over the hot cake, allowing it to absorb the syrup. Be sure to pour the syrup while both the cake and syrup are still hot for best results. Allow the cake to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting it into squares along the scored lines.

Serve the Basbousa squares at room temperature, garnished with additional slivered almonds if desired. Enjoy this delicious Middle Eastern treat with a cup of tea or coffee!

Enjoy!

Guacamole with creme fraiche - recipe

I bought a net of avocados at Lidl thinking baby will like it. But he spat it out no matter what I mixed it with. So I forget them in the fridge. After few days I saw them and decided to use them up. They were perfectly ripen and perfect for a guacamole. To make it a healthier option, I used crisp flat bread instead of tortilla crisps. Equally yummi!

Ingredients:

4-5 small ripe avocados

2-3 tbsp creme fraiche

Handful chopped fresh parsley

1 ripe tomato, chopped

Juice from 1 lemon

Seasoning to taste: salt, garlic powder, cumin, paprika

Method:

1. Cut out the avocado flesh and mash it with a fork in a wide bowl. Press the lemon juice over it, to prevent the avocados to become brown. Add the creme fraiche and mix well.

2. Chopp the parsley and tomato finely and add it to the bowl. Season it with the spices to taste. Mix well and cover with plastic foil and keep it in the fridge.

3. Serve with crisp flat bread or tortilla chips. I made the flat bread crispier by putting it in the toaster for few seconds. Be careful not to burn it though.

Enjoy!

Homemade hot chocolate

When you thought that it is time to remove all winter clothes and shoes, the weather suprices us with 20 cm of snow during the night. Oh well, the smile on toddler's face in the morning when he looks out through the window, so worth it. But I had to treat myself to a nice hot cup of homemade chocolate. Super easy!!

Ingredients:

Roughly 1-2 dl double cream

4-5 dl milk

2 tbsp kakao powder

2 tsp sugar

Season of choose: I chose a sprinkle of vanilla powder and ground cardamom

Method:

Mix everything in a sauce pan on medium heat until well mixed and piping hot. Don't let it boil though. Gives enough chocolate for two cups in case you like to share it. 

I enjoyed it with a nice cheese sandwich ;)

Enjoy!